Saltdogs Win 4th Straight Series

LINCOLN, Neb. - The Lincoln Saltdogs were playing from behind all night long, but in the bottom of the ninth an Albenis Machado bunt single with two outs scored the winning run, giving the Dogs the 7-6 victory.

The Dogs fell behind by two runs twice in the game against the Sioux Falls Canaries, but three key double plays kept Lincoln in the game until the ninth inning heroics helped the Saltdogs prevail.

With the scored tied at six in the bottom of the ninth, Dan Underwood started the inning with a single to center field. Mike Goss put down the sac bunt to move Underwood into scoring position with one down. With Underwood at third the Canaries intentionally walked Cory Harris, bring Machado to the plate. With the third baseman playing back, Machado laid down a perfect bunt that just rolled past third base for the first walk-off victory of the year for Lincoln.

Jared Hoerman, who came in with one out in the ninth picked up his second win of the year for Lincoln. He induced a double play ball from Kyle Kmiecik to get out of the inning with runners on first and second with one out. Reliever John Wesley (4-3) took the loss for Sioux Falls, allowing the one run on two hits.

Lincoln started Michael Kesten struggled through the first three innings walking four batters and hitting a pair of Canary batters. Sioux Falls used those two hit-batsmen in the top of the second inning to take their first lead in the game. With the bases loaded, Kesten hit the nine-hole hitter Chris Weber to force in the first run of the game with one down. The next batter, Anthony Monegan, walked to give Sioux Falls the 2-0 advantage.

Two walks lead to two runs in the top of the third inning for the Canaries. Edgard Clemente lead the inning off with a walk, he advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored off a single by Alex Llanos. Kirk Pierce also walked in the inning was able to score when Llanos was caught in a rundown between first and second base.

Bryan Warner continued his RBI run in the top of the fifth when he drove in the first run of the game for the dogs and his ninth run batted in against Sioux Falls in this series. The scoring continued for the Dogs as Pichi Balet followed with a two RBI double to the left field corner. After the second error of the inning by shortstop Chris Weber, Kevin Sullivan finished the scoring for Lincoln with an RBI single scoring Balet.

Two straight hits to the left center gap put Sioux Falls right back in the lead after the Dogs tied the game in the fifth. Abner Arroyo singled and scored on a long double to the wall by Pierce, his second RBI of the game. The Canaries tried a suicide squeeze with Llanos on third, but Jonny Kaplan missed the bunt with the pitch in the dirt and Llanos was tagged out easily by Underwood.

A Chris Weber home run in the top of the seventh inning gave the Canaries a little more breathing room. It was his first home run of the year for Sioux Falls, and gave them a 6-4 lead.

Lincoln squared the game in the bottom half of the inning. Sullivan and Underwood started the inning with a pair of singles and they both scored when Gabe Suarez blooped a hit into right field for his 9th and 10th RBIs of the year.

The Saltdogs have won all three series so far in the second half and continue to sit at first place in the Southern Division of the Northern League. After a day off, the Dogs will head up to Calgary for a four game series with the Vipers. Rodney Myers is scheduled to start the first game of the series for Lincoln.

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Saltdogs Even Up Series

LINCOLN, Neb. * The Lincoln Saltdogs used a record performance from Bryan Warner to beat up the Sioux Falls Canaries 18-7 on Friday night. Warner set a season record and a game record for RBIs in support of his pitching staff.

Kyle Ruwe (2-0) won his second game in as many starts for the Saltdogs, going six innings and allowing four runs. Carlton Wells and Edgar Escobedo came in to finish out the game from the bullpen. Mike Rodriguez took the loss for the Canaries going only 1 1/3 innings and allowing seven earned runs. Alexis Encarnacion pitched four innings of relief work for Sioux Falls and allowed only two runs on five hits.

It didn't take the Saltdogs long to get on the board after only scoring two runs on the first game of the series. The first four batters to come to the plate for Lincoln all scored. Cory Harris started the scoring when he came home on an error by Canaries' catcher Kirk Pierce, who overthrew Rodriquez after a pitch. The next throw by Rodriguez was taken out of the park by Bryan Warner who has homered twice in as many days against Sioux Falls. Pichi Balet followed with a home run of his own to the same field as Warner. For Balet it was his 10th home run of the season. After one inning of play the Dogs had a 4-0 lead over the Canaries.

The Saltdogs poured on more runs in their next half inning. Jake Whitesides started the inning with a double and he score on a single by Albenis Machado. The next pitch, Bryan Warner took out to right field for his 18th home run of the season.

For the third straight inning, the Saltdogs got runners across the plate. Bryan Warner picked up his 78th RBI of the season on a fielders' choice to tie his season record set back in 2002. Then Cory Harris scored on a wild pitch by Billy Zbacnik to give the Dogs a 10-0 lead. A double by Dan Underwood gave the Dogs their third straight inning with four runs scored against Canary pitching. Jake Whitesides finished the scoring in the inning with an RBI double to right center field.

Sioux City got on the board in the top of the fourth inning with an Edgard Clemente bomb to left field, his 19th of the season to lead the Northern League. After a single by Juan Thomas, Abner Arroyo hit his 10th home run of the season to right field, closing the gap to 14-3.

Anthony Monegan hit a one out single in the next inning and scored on a double to the center field wall by Clemente, his second RBI of the game.

The Saltdogs scored again in the bottom of the fifth inning. With the bases loaded, Jake Whitesides hit a fly ball to right field that fell between three Canaries scoring a runner from third and keeping the bases full. Warner picked up two more RBIs off a double just inside the left field foul line. With that Warner picked up the Saltdog records for most RBIs in a game at seven and most RBIs in a season at 80, both records he had held previously.

Lincoln matched their season high mark of 18 runs in the game to improve their record to 35-27 on the year and 8-6 in the second half to stay on top of the Southern Division. Sioux Falls drops to 25-36 and 8-6 in the second half. The rubber game of the series will pit Michael Kesten (5-2) for Lincoln against Tony Cogan (3-3) for Sioux Falls. Start time is set for 7:05 p.m. at Haymarket Park.

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'Dogs Drop Series Opner to Canaries

To: Sports Desks
From: Saltdogs Media Relations
Date: July 28, 2005

LINCOLN, Neb. * Juan Thomas used a pair of home runs on Thursday night to launch the Sioux Falls Canaries over the Lincoln Saltdogs 7-2 at Haymarket Park. Former Saltdog Cory Walters picked up the win for the Canaries going 6 2/3 innings allowing two runs on seven hits. Brian Rodaway (7-3) took the loss coming within one out of his fifth complete game of the year.

The Canaries got the scoring started in the top of the second inning and took advantage of miscue from the Saltdogs' defense. With two down and a runner on second base, Alex Llanos grounded a ball to Gabe Suarez who threw it past Pichi Balet at first and Kirk Pierce was able to score giving Sioux Falls the early 1-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, Juan Thomas showed off his power as he crushed a 2-1 pitch from Brian Rodaway out of the playing surface and almost out of the park to extend the Sioux Falls lead. Llanos walked later in the inning and scored on a double to the gap by Jonny Kaplan, his fifth RBI of the year.

Bryan Warner answered Sioux Falls scoring in the bottom of the fourth inning with a solo shot on the first pitch he saw from Walters. Warner turned on it and took it out of the park to left field, his 16th homer of the year. The Saltdogs had runners on first and second with no outs later in the inning, but Kevin Sullivan grounded into a double play to give the Dogs a runner on third with two outs. Dan Underwood came through with an infield single to pick up the RBI and bring Lincoln within one run.

Much like the fourth inning, Juan Thomas took the first pitch from Rodaway up and out of the park for his second home run of the game and ninth of the season. With that hit, Sioux Falls extended their lead to 5-2.

Sioux Falls plated another run in the top of the ninth inning. With a runner on second base Chris Weber hit a double right back up the middle to plate a run and he was followed by a triple by Kyle Kmiecik to chase Rodaway from the game.

Sean Donlin came in to close out the game for the Canaries in the ninth inning. He retired all three batters he faced to give Sioux Falls the win in the first game of the series.

With a Gary loss, the Saltdogs say in a tie for first place in the Southern Division with Gary and Schaumburg who had a travel day today. Lincoln will send Kyle Ruwe to the mound for the second game of the series. He will face off with Mike Rodriguez for Sioux Falls; start time is set for 7:05 p.m. at Haymarket Park.

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Win Streak Snapped

LINCOLN, Neb. * The Joliet JackHammers got revenge on the Lincoln Saltdogs after going 0-for-8 against the Dogs this season. They put up 19 runs on 28 hits en route to the 19-2 victory over Lincoln. Luis Villarreal went 8 2/3 innings to pick up his fourth win of the year. He carried a shutout into the ninth inning. Humberto Cardenas took the loss going three innings and allowing five runs.

For the first time in the series, the Joliet JackHammers took a lead against the Saltdogs. A pair of one-out doubles from Matt McCay and Josh Loggins plated the first run of the game and Jayson Drobiak followed with an RBI single to center field.

Joliet scored their third run of the game in the third inning off an infield single from Jermaine Allensworth. After advancing to second he came home on a single to left field from Jayson Drobiak to give the Hammers a 3-0 lead. Matt Howe followed with a walk and they both scored on a two RBI double by Kyle Logan.

The first batter of the fourth inning, Brad Flanders, for Joliet took a full count pitch from Michael Kesten out of the park in left center field for his fourth homer of the season and a 6-0 lead for the JackHammers.

Kesten got hit hard again in the sixth inning allowing the first six batters he faced reach base. With the bases loaded, Loggins hit a bases clearing double to right center field to score three runs. After a hit batsman Adam Lesko was brought in from the bullpen. He retired the first batter he faced before Kyle Logan picked up an RBI on a single to right field. Five straight singles followed for the JackHammers in the inning to give Joliet a 12-0 lead after the top half of the sixth.

The JackHammers were able to pound out another seven runs in the final three frames to take a 19-0 lead into the bottom of the ninth. They faced six different Saltdogs pitchers on the night.

Going into the bottom of the ninth inning, Villarreal had allowed only three hits and no runs. The Saltdogs were able to break the shutout bid with two down in the ninth. Pichi Balet reached on a double and he scored after Mike Goss singled into center field. The Dogs got one more run before Matt Petrusek shut the door and finished the game for Joliet.

The 19 runs was the most ever allowed by the Saltdogs franchise and the 28 hits was also the most ever given up to an opponent. The Northern League now goes into the All-Star break with games resuming on Friday. Lincoln will face Gary in the first game after the break.

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'Dogs Win Again

LINCOLN, Neb. * Kyle Ruwe took the hill for the first time in his collegiate career, and he came out with a win as the Lincoln Saltdogs defeated the Joliet JackHammers 6-2 on Saturday night. It was the eighth straight win for the Dogs against Joliet. Ruwe (1-0) went 5 innings and allowed two runs on five hits. Lincoln roughed up Joliet starter Amad Stephens (4-2) who only went 1 2/3 innings allowing five runs.

For the second straight night the Dogs got on the board in the first inning. Lincoln hit three straight singles in the inning. Jake Whitesides started the run with a hit to right field and two more hits from Bryan Warner and Pichi Balet scored Whitesides. With two outs Kevin Sullivan ripped a double over Josh Loggins' head in right field for the second RBI of the inning.

More runs came for Lincoln in their half of the second inning. Three straight singles loaded the bases for Cory Harris. On the second pitch of the at-bat Stephens threw a wild pitch moving all the runners up a base and scoring Albenis Machado from third. Two more runs came across from a ground out by Jake Whitesides and a sacrifice fly by Bryan Warner. Joliet's starter was pulled after Pichi Balet hit a two out double to left field. He was replaced by Damien Myers, who got the next out and got the JackHammers out of the inning.

Kyle Ruwe retired the first seven JackHammers he faced before Brad Flanders hit a line drive double to left field in the third inning. However Ruwe retired the next two batters including his third strikeout of the night.

Joliet broke the shutout in the top of the fifth inning. Kyle Logan hit a one out single, stole a base and scored on an error by Albenis Machado to put the first run on the board.

The Saltdogs scored in their half of the fifth inning. Balet started the inning with a walk and he scored on the very next pitch, a double into deep right center by Josh Patton. Lincoln had runners on the corners with one out but a great throw from Logan in center field cut down Patton as he tried score on the fly ball by Machado.

In the top of the sixth inning the JackHammers had the bases loaded with one out but they put one run on the board. Howe hit a fly ball to right scoring a run, but Josh Loggins was thrown out trying to advance to third and foul pop fly to the catcher ended the Joliet threat with only one run scored.

The Saltdogs look to complete their third sweep of the JackHammers on Sunday in the final game of the series. Humberto Cardenas will take the hill for Lincoln and he will face-off with Luis Villarreal for Joliet. Start time is 5:05 p.m.

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Back in the Win Column

LINCOLN, Neb. * The Lincoln Saltdogs gave plenty of run support to their starting pitcher Rodney Myers on Thursday night as the Dogs toppled the Joliet JackHammers for the seventh straight time this season with a 7-1 victory. Myers picked up the win and improved to 4-2 while Jason Shelley took his sixth loss of the season dropping to 5-6.

The Saltdogs got on the board with another long ball from the captain Bryan Warner. After the two hole hitter Jake Whitesides reached on an error by Matt Howe at first, Warner took the first pitch of the at-bat from Shelley over the wall in right center field, his 15th homer of the year. Warner gave the Dogs an early 2-0 lead.

Joliet answered right back in the bottom of the first inning after a lead off triple from Kyle Logan. He came home when Dan Underwood grounded out to second base and picked up the RBI.

Bryan Warner continued picking up RBIs in the third inning to extend his RBI lead in the Northern League. After a walk to Jake Whitesides, Warner lined a double down the right field line scoring Whitesides from first. It was Warner's 66th RBI of the season.

Lincoln scored their run fourth run without a hit in the bottom of the fourth inning. Josh Patton started the inning by getting hit by a pitch from Shelley and after stealing second base he advanced to home on two straight fly balls to the outfield for the 4-1 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth the Saltdogs scored another run, this time off a two out single by Bryan Warner. He stole second and scored after Josh Patton singled to right field.

With two more runs in the seventh inning, the Dogs improved to 29-23 on the season and 2-2 in the second half race. Joliet fell to 24-28 and 1-3 in the second half. Kyle Ruwe will make his first professional start for the Saltdogs on Saturday.

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Win Streak Snapped at Five Games

LINCOLN, Neb. - For the first time the last six games, the Lincoln Saltdogs couldn't get their offense going as they fell 6-2 to the Edmonton Cracker-Cats. Gary Hogan took the mound for the Dogs and took the loss. He went only 1 2/3 innings and gave up three earned runs. Mike Kusiewics picked up his fifth win of the year and stayed undefeated in the 2005 campaign. He went 5 1/3 innings and allowed only 1 earned run.

The Cracker-Cats pushed a run across in the top of the first inning for the first time in the series. A pair of walks from Hogan started the inning for Edmonton. Derek Patterson was able to steal second after he drew the free pass and advanced to third after the throw from Kevin Sullivan rolled into center field. With runners on the corners Jeremy Ware hit a fly ball into left field that Mike Goss caught and he was able to double up Chris Becker at first, but not before Patterson scored for Edmonton.

Edmonton stayed patient at the plate in the second and were able to draw another two walks. Brandon Kaye and Dan Marshall Jr. both walked to start the inning and after falling behind 0-2, Aharon Eggleston hit a bloop single to left field scoring Kaye. The Cats continued to hit Hogan as Stubby Clapp line a double to the gap in left-center field, clearing the bases and chasing Hogan from the game giving way to reliever Kyle Ruwe.

It was three runs in three straight innings for the Cats after a bloop single from Kaye drove in the fifth run of the game for Edmonton. Becker started the inning with a single and advanced to second on a ground out before Kaye's hit. Their five run lead was the biggest lead by the Cracker-Cats in their series against Lincoln.

The Dogs finally broke through Kusiewics in the fourth inning to score their first run of the game. Pichi Balet led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a passed ball. Kevin Sullivan picked up the RBI on a hard hit single to center field.

For the second straight inning, Lincoln was able to plate a run. A lead off single from Suarez started the inning and he came around to score after Bryan Warner grounded out and picked up his 53rd RBI of the year.

In the top of the sixth inning, Ruwe retired the Cats in order however after he struck out the first baseman Brandon Kaye, Kaye argued the call with home plate umpire Todd Shield and he was ejected from the game.

Edmonton used a lead off triple in the seventh inning to extend their lead over the Saltdogs. Aharon Eggleston hit a hard shot to left center and came around to third base, his second triple of the year. The next batter Chris Hall drove him home with a single giving Edmonton a 6-2 lead.

Lincoln hits the road on for a three game homestand against St. Paul starting on Friday night. The Saltdogs will send Michael Kesten to the mound for the 7:05 p.m. start against the leaders of the Southern Division.

#Saltdogs

Machado Leads the Way

LINCOLN, Neb. * For the third straight game, the Lincoln Saltdogs put double digits on the board at Haymarket Park. This time it was en route to a 10-1 victory over the Edmonton Cracker-Cats on Tuesday night. Rodney Myers (2-2) picked up the win for the Dogs going 7 2/3 innings and only allowing one run on 77 pitches. The loss goes to Ira Brown (1-4) who went 4 1/3 innings allowing two runs on six hits.

For the first time during the current home stand, the Saltdogs weren't the first team to get on the scoreboard. With one down in the second inning, Edmonton got a double from Brandon Kaye and he came around to score off a single from the next batter Kyle Leon. With that run the Cracker-Cats took their first lead against the Saltdogs of the series.

The Dogs scored in their half of the second inning after a pair of singles. Albenis Machado came around to score behind a Cory Harris single to left field when the catcher Justin Carroll dropped the throw from right field allowing the run to cross home.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, a pair of hard hit shots to right center field gave the Dogs their lead of the game. Jake Whitesides started the rally with a triple to right center field. Bryan Warner brought him home with a double to the same area of the park. After that Edmonton went to their bullpen bringing in reliever Scott Richmond on to replace the starter Brown. Richmond was able to escape that inning with no more runs allowed. Through five innings of play the Dogs had a 2-1 lead.

Lincoln continued their scoring in the next inning with three singles in the sixth. Kevin Sullivan led things off with the first single of the inning and he scored after Gabe Suarez picked up his first hit of the game and fourth RBI of the season.

Jake Whitesides started the seventh inning for the Dogs with a walk. He came around to score off a Pichi Balet single. That hit chased the Cats' second pitcher Scott Richmond from the game and brought in Trey Poland for Edmonton. The hit parade continued for the Dogs however as Kevin Sullivan drove in the second run of the inning on a line drive to left field. The Saltdogs loaded the bases with the fourth straight single in the inning, this time from Mike Goss. Machado cleared the bases for Lincoln with a shot to left field that just missed going out of the park. He had to settle for a three-run double giving the Dogs an 8-1 lead. After a wild pitch moved Machado to third, Suarez hit a sacrifice fly to right scoring Machado. The next pitch, Cory Harris took out of the park with a home run to left center field. In all seven runs cross the plate to give the Dogs a 10-1 lead.

The Saltdogs will finish up their six game home stand on Wednesday night in the finale of their series with the Cracker-Cats. Gary Hogan will start for the Dogs with Mike Kusiewics taking the hill for Edmonton. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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Saltdogs Win 4th Straight

LINCOLN, Neb. * The Lincoln Saltdogs continued their strong offensive output with another 11 run performance. This time it was just enough to get by the Edmonton Cracker-Cats with an 11-10 victory. Saltdog starter Humberto Cardenas improved his record to 2-2 while pitching 5 1/3 innings and allowing five earned runs. Aric Van Gaalen (2-2) was charged with the loss for Edmonton going four innings and allowing all 11 Saltdog runs.

Unlike the past three games the Saltdogs didn't put up a run in the first inning, they waited until the second. Josh Patton started the inning with a high fly shot to left field that fell between three Cracker-Cat players. Kevin Sullivan brought Patton home with his next at-bat, a line drive single to left center. After a walk put runners on 1st and 2nd Albenis Machado drove another line drive single to left center scoring Sullivan for a 2-0 lead. Cory Harris drove in the Dogs' third run of the inning with a ground out to third base.

The Cracker-Cats answered in the top of the third inning with a run of their own. Chuck MacFarlane started Edmonton off with a single and he came around to score after another single from Chris Baker. With that run the Cats pulled within two runs after their half of the third.

The Dogs took advantage of three wild pitches and a pair of walks in the bottom of the third inning as they scored five times to take an 8-1 lead. A pair of RBI doubles from Harris and Machado highlighted the inning for the Dogs in an inning where nine batters came to the plate.

Edmonton continued to answer the Saltdogs in the top of the fourth inning when Kyle Leon hit a two-run home run to left field bringing the Cats within five.

In the bottom of the fourth another three runs came across the plate for Lincoln. The Dogs had six straight hits in the inning with Gabe Suarez rounding out the inning with a two RBI double giving Lincoln an 11-3 lead.

Edmonton came right back in the top of the sixth inning. Nine Cats came to the plate and scored a pair of runs with bases loaded walks. Brandon Kaye and Kyle Leon started the inning with a pair of hits and both runners came around to score cutting the Dogs' lead to 11-7.

Two more runs came for Edmonton in the top of the eighth inning with a two run homer from lead off hitter Stubby Clapp. For Clapp it was his third homer of the season and it brought the Cats within two runs of the Saltdogs.

For the Saltdogs they are now on a four game winning streak after sweeping Joliet and taking the first game against Edmonton. In that stretch the Dogs have scored a total of 42 runs to stay undefeated in the month of July. In the second game of the series Lincoln will throw Rodney Myers (1-2) while the Cracker-Cats are scheduled to send Ira Brown (1-3) to the hill. First pitch time is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Haymarket Park.

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Rodaway Does It Again!

LINCOLN, Neb. * Before the scheduled fireworks could go off after the game, the Lincoln Saltdogs put on a show for the almost 5,200 fans in attendance at Haymarket Park. The Dogs completed the sweep of the Joliet JackHammers with an 11-0 victory on Sunday night. Former Husker Brian Rodaway (6-2) threw his fifth complete game of the season and his second shutout to earn the victory. The Dogs pounded out a season high 20 hits including a pair of home runs from Cory Harris and Bryan Warner. Nathan Kent (2-4) took the loss for Joliet going five innings and allowing six Saltdog runs.

For the third straight game the Saltdogs were quick out of the gate, scoring runs the first inning. This time they loaded the bases for designated hitter Josh Patton who delivered with a two RBI singled to short center field. A Mike Goss walked loaded the bases a second time in the inning with Albenis Machado at the plate. Machado hit a shot to deep right center field but Kyle Logan made the catch on the warning track to retire the Dogs with three runners stranded.

In the third inning another couple of runs came to the plate for Lincoln after a two RBI single by Goss. Bryan Warner and Pichi Balet started the inning with back-to-back singles. They advanced to second and third before coming home on Goss' hit. Machado continued the scoring with a bloop single to right field scoring Goss.

The Saltdogs used a sacrifice bunt from Goss to help score against in the bottom of the fifth inning. Josh Patton led off with a double. After a walk to Sullivan, Goss advanced the runners with a bunt down the third base line. Machado brought Patton home with a line drive single to right giving the Dogs a 6-0 lead.

Bryan Warner kept the runs coming for the Dogs in the sixth inning with a two run homer to left field off Joliet reliever J. J. Scheving. For Warner it was his 12th homer of the season to put him in a tie for the Northern League lead. The next three batters reached base and Goss hit his second two RBI single of the night to give Lincoln a 10-0 lead. Matt Petrusek came into the game with one out and proceeded to strike out the next two batters he faced to get the JackHammers out of the inning.

For second time in as many days, Cory Harris took to the long ball hitting his 12th homer of the season. He took a 1-1 pitch from Joliet pitcher Joey Siak into the berm in left center field, scoring the last run of the game for the Dogs.

Lincoln continues their six-game home stand with a three game series starting Monday against the Edmonton Cracker-Cats. The first pitch on Monday will be at 6:05 p.m. with fireworks after the game.

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Lincoln wins Game # vs. Joliet

LINCOLN, Neb. - In the past two days, the Lincoln Saltdogs have put up seven in the last two games against the Joliet JackHammers. They used four homers on Saturday night included a grand slam from Cory Harris to pull out the 9-2 victory. Michael Kesten (4-1) threw a complete game six hitter to get the win. Damien Myers (0-5) was charged with the loss. He threw five innings and allowed four runs.

For the second straight game Jake Whitesides got the Saltdogs on the board early in the first inning. This time it was a first pitch blast into right field for Whitesides, his sixth homer of the year and his third home run in the past two games. Bryan Warner followed Whitesides with a shot of his own over the fence in left field, his 11th home run of the year. After one inning, the Dogs had given Kesten a 2-0 cushion to work with.

Joliet threatened in the top of the second inning, but Kyle Logan was caught stealing at third base and John Lackaff was thrown out at home plate to end the Hammers' half of the inning.

Lincoln broke through with five runs in the sixth inning to open up the lead. The Dogs loaded the bases behind Gabe Suarez's first Northern League hit and Cory Harris broke out of an 0-for-11 slump with a grand slam home run to left field. It was his 11th homer of the season and first Saltdogs' grand slam of the season.

The fourth home run of the game for the Dogs came in the bottom of the seventh inning. With one runner on base, Josh Patton drilled his seventh homer of the year to extend their lead to 9-1.

In the eighth inning, Joliet was able to manufacture a run after a lead off double from Dan Underwood. He advanced to third and scored on a ground ball to shortstop.

The final game of the series between Joliet and Lincoln will be on Sunday night at 7:05 p.m. Brian Rodaway is scheduled to take the hill for the Dogs while Nathan Kent will go to the mound for Joliet.

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Saltdogs Snap Losing Streak

LINCOLN, Neb. * The Lincoln Saltdogs and the Joliet JackHammers combined to score at least one run in every inning during their Friday night match-up at Haymarket Park. Gary Hogan (4-2) picked up the win for the Dogs going eight innings and allowing four earned runs. Jason Shelley (4-4) was charged with the loss allowing eight runs over 5 2/3 innings pitched.

It only took two batters for the Saltdogs to get on the board in their first game back at Haymarket Park after a seven-day road trip. Jake Whitesides took a 3-2 pitch from Shelly over the wall in right field and onto the concourse level. With two outs in the inning the Saltdogs loaded the bases for Mike Goss. Goss came through with a two RBI single back up the middle to extend the lead to 3-0.

The next inning, Lincoln added a couple more runs to their total. With two down, Whitesides started the Dog run with a single. After a Bryan Warner single put runners on first and third, Pichi Balet picked up two RBIs with a double in the right-center field gap.

Kevin Sullivan broke out of an 0-for-13 slump against the JackHammers in the third inning with his sixth homer of year. This one a one-run shot to right field giving the Dogs a 6-0 lead.

Joliet got a run back in the top of the fourth inning. The Hammers got the bases loaded with two down and Josh Loggins came through with the two out RBI on a bloop single in shallow center field. With the run Joliet cut the Lincoln lead to 6-1.

Another run crossed the plate for Joliet in the fifth inning. Jeff Goldbach reached on an error and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Dan Firlit. Jeremy Allensworth picked up the RBI with a slow groundball to short.

Jake Whitesides launched his second homer of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning to add a pair of runs to the Dogs total. That home was Whitesides fifth homer of the season.

The Saltdogs continued their run-scoring spree in the seventh inning. The first three runners reached base and all three scored. Mike Goss picked up an RBI on a ground out to short and Albenis Machado cleared the bases with a line drive double to left field.

Three runs came for the JackHammers in the eighth inning. Joliet used five straight hits off Lincoln starter Gary Hogan to plate the three runs cutting the Dogs' lead to 11-5.

In the ninth Joliet was able to pull within four runs but Wes O'Brien finished the JackHammers threat giving Lincoln the 11-7 win.

The second game of the three game series will pit Lincoln pitcher Michael Kesten (3-1) against Nathan Kent (2-3) for Joliet. First pitch time is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Haymarket Park.

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